What is Visual Modeling?

Visual Modeling is the process of capturing essential parts of the system using standard graphical notations. It is a core feature of state-of-the-art application development which not only allows you to build a model of your system or application but also to model things easier, faster and more accurately on the front-end while maintaining the syntaxes and semantics at the back-end.

Model-driven Development

More often than not, a software product can show a level of complexity that demands an army of developers to work on a single prototype. A critical aspect during an application building journey is to seamlessly move from a conceptualization phase to an implementation phase. During the conceptualization phase, it is key to derive the right draft of all parts of the application which include its complexities such as dynamic characteristics and integration of APIs, data etc. This can be achieved if the user has a good modelling interface which supports a Unified Modelling Language (UML). Today’s software demands a ready to use foundation before anything is built on it. Quite similar to the template designs one can experience while using Microsoft Powerpoint. A user simply chooses a style and starts creating their PPT over a predefined layout. The same applies to application development tools as well which provides elements like themes, widgets and mini apps that helps the user develop an application more easily rather than having them build each element. This process of trying to automate parts of application is model driven development.

Visual Modeling using RAD

What is Rapid Application Development model?

Rapid Application Development model relies on prototyping and rapid cycles of iterative development to speed up development and elicit early feedback from business users. After each iteration, developers can refine and validate the features with stakeholders. RAD model is also characterized by reiterative user testing and the re-use of software components. Hence, RAD has been instrumental in reducing the friction points in delivering successful enterprise applications. Learn more about the benefits of Rapid Application Development

How to use visual drag and drop and Prefabs to create applications?

With the help of RAD tools, visual modeling becomes easier. A good RAD tool offers visual drag and drop elements out of the box such as widgets and prefabs (prefabricated apps). With a simple drag and drop mechanism, users can drag and drop widgets like grids, top navigation bar, live tables etc and blend them easily into themes & templates available out of the box. With prefabs, users can incorporate functionality like social media sign on pages, map interfaces etc by again using the drag and drop features of the RAD tool. All this can be done by maintaining the functionality and constructing the business logic along application workflows.

The WaveMaker platform is built not only keeping in mind developers, but also business users. With its unique drag & drop feature, WYSIWYG layout and out of the box themes and template designs, it makes application development easy for the user.